Blackpool & The Fylde College has appointed Bardsley Construction to build the £9.8m Energy HQ within the newly created Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone.

Start on site is scheduled for summer 2016, and completion is expected in autumn 2017.

The college was granted planning permission last month for the training facility, which will be built on the site of the existing airport terminal building and car park. The site has been bought from airport owner Balfour Beatty.

The terminal will be demolished and rebuilt closer to the runway.

Lancashire Energy HQ will deliver specialist technical and professional training and will focus on all types of energy production including offshore, renewable and low carbon.

IBI Group is the architect.

Daryl Platt, executive director of commercial development at Blackpool & The Fylde College, said: “The project represents significant investment in the region by the College and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, who are providing £6.2m of Growth Deal funding towards the cost. I’m pleased that we are now in a position where work can begin imminently and we can continue to drive investment.

“We are looking forward to working with Bardsley Construction, who will bring a great deal of experience and technical expertise to the project.”